I have literally just finished “Princess of Blood“, the sequel to “Servant of Earth” by Sarah Hawley, and oh my goodness it did not disappoint! It was as well written and jaw dropping as the first book, I still cannot sit still!

As always, some spoilers ahead so continue reading at your own risk!

“Servant of Earth” ended with such a dramatic turn of events, with Kenna being blessed with fae immortality and the magic of Blood House by the shards, which made her Princess of Blood House. She was then forced into a very dangerous set of politics in which she is the deciding vote of who the next ruler in her not-so-merry band of allies is going to be. However, choosing the next ruler is never so easy. Kenna’s allies are faced with another fae, Imogen, who is already claiming to be Queen and is playing the long game, being constantly ten steps ahead of them.

Kenna is being wooed by fire and void house, each trying to prove why they are the better choice to rule Mistei, as well as trying to run her brand new house that seems to be growing in numbers everyday. This sequel revolves around political intrigue, Kenna’s growth as a princess and protector of those unable to protect themselves, and her growing relations with the different houses including multiple assassination attempts. By this point, Kenna’s character as a woman needing to do the right thing by everyone, especially those who can’t do it for themselves, is strongly emphasised and is a key component of this sequel. That being said, her character also develops other unexpected qualities that really show her growth not only as a protector but as a princess with a people to protect.

Not only do we get an enticing story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but Sarah Hawley paints such a vivid world that you can see every detail in your mind. From the lavish parties that the false queen throws to win over the people to her side, to the secret passages that Kenna traverses to gather hidden information and the physical interactions displayed during dances, training sessions and other more romantic situations. Not to mention to the incredible complexity of some of the characters in this book, your feelings for a character can change in an instant with any number of the revelations that Sarah Hawley throws into the story. Especially in the development of some particularly hot and heavy relationships, Sarah Hawley is definitely a talented writer of sexual tension!

But before you decide to pick up this series, it is ongoing and the third book has not yet been announced. Also, Sarah Hawley seems to have a habit of leaving things on a bit of a cliff hanger which just makes you ravenous for more of Kenna’s story! That being said, I do highly recommend this series even though it is going to cause some mayhem amongst readers!